"This little light of mine...." the familiar words of the Sunday school song echoed through my mind like a humble reminder every time I thought about starting this blog. The thought of my small artist's voice thinly calling out amidst the world's storm of ideas, news, distractions, tragedies and talent seemed not only futile but inconsequential. After all, who am I to add anything of value to what has already been said and created by the many great Christian theologians, apologists, scholars, and the brilliant, talented artists of the past and present?
I spent years picking this idea up, turning and studying it like one of the interesting rocks or shells I find along the New England coastline, only to toss it back. Finally, I began to sense that I was to just begin anyway. After all, didn't Jesus use a young boy's gift of his small lunch to feed over 5,000 people? The Bible teaches us that it doesn't matter how little you think you have in your hands or how unpolished it may be - what matters is that you give it back to God and leave the rest to him.
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I think the most important thing to know about me is that many years ago, I came to know God in a personal way. To some people that statement may seem trite, vague or strange. Some may misunderstand it to be something that it is not. To explain it simply - I became "saved" through God's grace, love and forgiveness[1].
Saved from what? - from my own sin... from hell.... from eternal separation from God[2]. I understood and acknowledged that I was a sinner (the morally wrong things I've done to transgress against the law of God)[3] and confessed my sin to God[4]. I asked God to forgive me, received Christ Jesus into my heart, and committed my life to follow him[5].
Why is this the most important thing about me? - because my identity is in Christ. What does that mean? It means that, unlike the world, which tells us to look within ourselves for our identity, I look outside myself to know who I am. God - who is is my Creator, my Father, my Redeemer, my Saviour - tells me through his Word that I am a new creation, forgiven and a dearly beloved child[6]. Therefore, my true identity does not change no matter what struggles, failures, loss or tragedies come my way. I am still a daughter of God and precious in his sight. There is nothing in this world I could own or accomplish that could compare to it. Any credentials, accolades or achievements - and any losses, adversity or trauma - do not determine my identity. People are affected and shaped in a variety ways by such things, but these things do not have to define nor become the essence of who they are.
I have a story. Everyone has a story. Everyone has struggles, joys, grief and pain. What's most important about my journey is that I have had the comfort, guidance and grace that only God can give along the way. Part of my story involves betrayal, single parenting and going back to college as an adult to get two degrees in education. Part of my story involves the blessings of being a mother, grandmother, sister, wife, daughter and friend. I thank God for his many gifts and hope that this endeavor of writing and art-making may be encouraging and thought provoking to those who visit.
C.M. Blain-Cohn
(1) Romans 5:10 Romans 5:18-21 John 4:14 Romans 10:9-10 Ephesians 2:8-10 Ephesians 1:7 I Timothy 1:15-16
(2) Matthew 25:41 Luke 13:28 Matthew 25:46 II Thessalonians 1:9 Matthew 25:30 Luke 16:23 Revelation 20:14-15
(3) Romans 7:5-25 Romans 4:15 Matthew 7:23 Romans 3:23 I John 1:8 Mark 7:20-23 Isaiah 64:6 Romans 3:23-24
(4) I John 3:4 I John 1:9 Proverbs 28:13 Psalms 32:5 Acts 3:19 I John 2:1 Matthew 3:2 Psalm 51:1-5 Romans 10:10
(5) Ephesians 3:17 Matthew 16:24 Ephesians 1:7 Ephesians 2:8 Matthew 16:24 Luke 9:23 Luke 9:62 Psalm 37:5
(6) 1 John 3:1 II Corinthians 5:17 -21 Ephesians 2:19 I John 4:15 I John 1:9 Galations 3:26 I John1:12-13